In Brendan we trust: Why Liverpool fans should look forward to the future

A couple months ago I wrote an article on the youth at Liverpool and why they are so key to the success of the football club. Now in November, Liverpool find themselves mid table and seven points away from the top four. Despite this, as a fan, I feel there have been plenty of signs over the last couple of months to be positive about where the club is going under the reign of Brendan Rodgers.

Having only won three games this season, it’s far too easy to criticise and complain about the manager. Look at Chelsea, despite winning the FA Cup and the Champions League, Roberto Di Matteo was sacked only 6 months into the job just because of a few poor team performances.

With Liverpool and Rodgers, progress is being made. The input of young players has had a big impact on the team and has shown that the football club has a very bright future. Looking back over the past couple of seasons, it has been hard to watch a team struggle to make any impact on the top half of the league. Big signings were made and these players didn’t perform.

As mentioned, we have only four league wins this season which could well be doubled based on a number of games. Having lost to Spurs on Wednesday, Liverpool’s eight game unbeaten run came to an end. Despite losing this game, looking back at the highlights of the game, we should have easily come out with a draw, maybe a win. Last season’s fixture at White Hart Lane saw the home side win 4-0 in a resounding performance One season on we were unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat. The difference in performances is obvious, we looked stronger, quicker and competed much better with a very strong Spurs outfit.

What I am trying to get at is the progression in the small amount of time under Rodgers. Not just in the Spurs game but in general over the beginning of the season. Yes we didn’t get off to the best start to the season, but the unbeaten run showed what a good side we can be. The draw against Swansea last weekend was one which should have been a win. The same can be said for the Everton game where we were denied a clear winner. Now it is easy to say ‘we could have won that’ but having witnessed these games it was disappointing to come out with just a point.

The form of Luis Suarez is one I could not miss out and but for him, yes we would be a lot further down the table. Rodgers has put a lot of faith in the Uruguayan and he has repaid that with some excellent form and some superb performances. This is where my only criticism of Rodgers comes in. His signings in the summer lacked another forward, it’s been clearly made in the media and the football world and I’m very sure he regrets that now. January will be massive for Rodgers and bringing in another striker to aid Suarez is vital. There have been mentions of a number of forwards but with Darren Bent out of favour at Villa, signing him I believe would be an excellent addition.

The form and performances of the younger players in the squad is a massive positive that I can take out of the season so far. In particular Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom and Suso have taken to the Premier League excellently and have proven their selection by Rodgers. These performances have been rewarded and noticed at national level seeing Shelvey and Sterling called up to the England national squad, and Wisdom and Suso called up to their respective national under 21 teams.

The faith Rodgers has shown to these youngsters is great to see from a fans perspective and have proven a good decision. If performances continue the way they have been over the past couple of months then there is a lot to look forward to for the fans of Liverpool. For me Rodgers is proving to be the right man for the job and as long as he is given the backing, Liverpool will eventually get back to where they once belonged.

3 Responses

Rodgers is overrated–mostly by Rodgers. He needs to shut up and point to results. He didn’t create the style played at Swansea, that was done by Martinez before him. Now Laudrup (sp) has the Swans doing so much better than Rodger’s; continuing to play the style started by Martinez and doing it so much better than Rodgers. Laudrup has Swansea knocking the ball around with purpose, and doing things that Rodgers teams couldn’t do and that is getting behind defenses, and scoring goals> Win something first, Mr. Rodgers before you start talking as though you are the Man!

Funny article. You Brendon’s son or just trying to tongue him ! Results matter, for the cost and so called quality of squad BR has team massively underperforming ..
Rely on and over playing youth will only go so far. A few years ago Downing was one of top assist providers in Prem’, getting him back to former glory would have been good start along with bring Reina, Gerrard, Johnson back to former glory.
If we win no cups and don’t qualify for Europe will you still be writing in glowing terms at end of the season.

I’m just trying to be positive, we look so much better than last season and Rogers has done alright with what he’s got. I believe we will qualify for Europe prob Europa League at the end of the season if we carry on playing how we have with the addition of another forward. Obv if Downing could perform how he did for Villa then that would be excellent but he’s had his chances and he’s not performed. Johnson has played very well recently and as for Gerrard, age is catching up with him but with Lucas back then maybe he may start hitting form. It’s all about rebuilding the side and getting back to how we were, it’s not going to be instant getting back to the top four, or winning the league. No harm in trying to be optimistic.